Staff Software Engineer (Anti-Cheat)

TL;DR

Staff Software Engineer (Anti-Cheat): Designing and evolving shared backend platform services and internal tools for Vanguard systems with an accent on scalability, security, and high-availability distributed architecture. Focus on building robust APIs, optimizing operational workflows, and developing cutting-edge technology to detect and deter adversarial threats in multiplayer games.

Company

Riot Games is a global game developer and publisher dedicated to creating player-focused experiences and maintaining competitive integrity across its multiplayer titles.

What you will do

• Design and evolve shared backend platform services powering Vanguard systems across client and service layers.
• Own APIs and service contracts to ensure reliability, clarity, and long-term maintainability.
• Lead the development of internal tools and web applications for operations, investigations, and configuration.
• Identify and mitigate systemic risks related to scalability, operability, and security.
• Collaborate with Anti-Cheat, Security, and Game teams to build performant tools and services.
• Participate in incident response, root cause analysis, and reliability improvements.

Requirements

• Staff-level experience building and owning backend platforms and internal tools used by multiple teams.
• Strong experience with backend service development and distributed systems (e.g., AWS, Docker, Kubernetes).
• Significant experience building internal tools or web applications using modern stacks (e.g., Golang, React, Node.js, TypeScript).
• Experience designing and maintaining APIs in a large or growing ecosystem.
• Comfort operating and debugging live, production systems.
• Strong architectural judgment and ability to influence key technical decisions.

Nice to have

• Experience designing systems with security and adversarial thinking in mind.
• Background supporting high-availability services or operational tooling.
• Experience mentoring engineers at all levels.
• Understanding of LLMs, Agentic AI based development, and their strengths and weaknesses.

Culture & Benefits

• Focus on work/life balance with open paid time off and flexible work schedules.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and life insurance coverage.
• Parental leave for employees and their families.
• 401k retirement plan with company match.
• Collaborative environment centered on player empathy and team-based problem solving.